new article on installing defender for cloud cli

Author: snicklezzz

articles/defender-for-cloud/TOC.yml

@@ -1003,6 +1003,8 @@
           items:
             - name: Overview
               href: defender-cli-overview.md
+            - name: Install
+              href: install-defender-for-cloud-cli.md
             - name: Authentication
               href: defender-cli-authentication.md
             - name: Syntax

articles/defender-for-cloud/defender-cli-overview.md

@@ -57,3 +57,9 @@ If you're using the legacy Microsoft Security DevOps (MSDO) CLI, consider moving
 * Enhanced user developer experience (run locally and in CI with command line options).
 
 * A future‑proof path as new scanners are orchestrated by Defender for Cloud CLI. MSDO CLI remains in maintenance support.
+
+## Next steps
+
+- [Install the Defender for Cloud CLI](install-defender-for-cloud-cli.md)
+
+- [Configure Defender for Cloud CLI authentication](defender-cli-authentication.md)

articles/defender-for-cloud/install-defender-for-cloud-cli.md

@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+---
+title: Install the Defender for Cloud CLI
+description: Learn how to download and install the Defender for Cloud CLI on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
+author: Elazar
+ms.author: elkrieger
+ms.topic: how-to
+ms.date: 01/08/2026
+# customer intent: As a developer or security engineer, I want to install the Defender for Cloud CLI so I can run security scans locally and in CI/CD pipelines.
+---
+
+# Install the Defender for Cloud CLI
+
+This article explains how to download and install the Defender for Cloud CLI on supported operating systems.
+
+## Download the CLI
+
+The Defender for Cloud CLI is distributed as a standalone executable. Download the binary that matches your operating system and CPU architecture.
+
+| Operating system | Architecture | Download |
+|---|---|---|
+| Windows | x64 (64-bit) | [Download for Windows x64](https://aka.ms/defender-cli_win-x64) |
+| Windows | x86 (32-bit) | [Download for Windows x86](https://aka.ms/defender-cli_win-x86) |
+| Windows | ARM64 | [Download for Windows ARM64](https://aka.ms/defender-cli_win-arm64) |
+| macOS | Apple silicon (M-series) | [Download for macOS ARM64](https://aka.ms/defender-cli_osx-arm64) |
+| macOS | Intel | [Download for macOS x64](https://aka.ms/defender-cli_osx-x64) |
+| Linux | x64 | [Download for Linux x64](https://aka.ms/defender-cli_linux-x64) |
+| Linux | ARM64 | [Download for Linux ARM64](https://aka.ms/defender-cli_linux-arm64) |
+
+## Set execution permissions (Linux and macOS)
+
+On Linux and macOS, you must grant the downloaded binary permission to run.
+
+From the directory that contains the downloaded file, run:
+
+```bash
+chmod +x defender
+```
+
+> [!TIP]
+> On macOS, you might see a **Developer cannot be verified** warning when running the CLI for the first time. To allow the binary, go to **System Settings** > **Privacy & Security**, and then select **Open Anyway**.
+
+## Add the CLI to your PATH (recommended)
+
+Adding the CLI to your system PATH lets you run the `defender` command from any directory.
+
+### Linux and macOS
+
+Move the binary to a directory that’s already included in your PATH, such as `/usr/local/bin`:
+
+```bash
+sudo mv defender /usr/local/bin/defender
+```
+
+### Windows
+
+1. Create a folder. 
+   For example, `C:\tools\defender`
+
+1. Move `defender.exe` into that folder.
+
+1. In Windows Search, select **Edit the system environment variables**.
+
+1. Select **Environment Variables**, then edit the **Path** variable under **System variables**.
+
+5. Add the path to the folder you created. 
+   For example, `C:\tools\defender`
+
+1. Save your changes.
+
+## Verify the installation
+
+Open a new terminal or command prompt window and run:
+
+```bash
+defender --version
+```
+If the CLI is installed correctly, the command returns the current version.
+
+## Next steps
+
+- [Configure Defender for Cloud CLI authentication](defender-cli-authentication.md)
+
+- Review the [CLI command reference](/azure/defender-for-cloud/defender-cli-syntax)
+
+- [Integrate the CLI into CI/CD pipelines](/azure/defender-for-cloud/ci-cd-pipeline-scanning-with-defender-cli)